Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-04-01

GAINESVILLE was laid out in 1900, eleven years
after the landing OF the first settlers at Mari
etta. The site of the town was owned by Ebe-
nezer Zane and his son-in.law, John McIntire.
Znne's interest in the proposed town was turned
over TO McIntire, who took up his residence
there and called the place Wcstbourn, u name
which 1t bore till the Postmaster-General OF the
United States established an office there, which
he named GAINESVILLE. The town speedily took
the name OF the office.
The Zane family was n remarkable one of
early days, and some of its members are his
torical characters.
There were four brothers, Isaac, Ebenezer,
Silas and Jonathan Zane, who were captured
by the Indians when they were boys and held
in captivity for thirteen years
During the greater part of the period of their
enforced detention the zancs lived in what is
now Eastern Ohio Isaac, Ebenezer and Jonn-
than were taken to Detroit by their captors and
there exchanged or in some way set at liberty.
But the bonds which held Isaac, the remain
ing brother were of q stouter sort than those
OF revenge or interest such as had caused
the long captivity OF his companions. Isaac
Zane was loved by the comely daughter OF the
Wyandot chieftain who was the leader OF the
tribe that held the Zanes in custody. Isaac
was young man and he wanted TO be free
Twice he escaped and twice he was brought
back and treated with engaging tenderness by
the Indian maiden. But he thought more OF
third attempt to escape from the foes that held
him In such high esteem that they could not
bear to part with him. For several days he
Travelled toward the rising sun, and finally
reached Butler County, Pa, and was turning
his course toward Pittsburgh when he was met
by some hostile Indians
He could run like deer, but his pursuers
were numerous, and some of them, who knew
the country much better than he did, managed
TO cut OF his retreat, and he was made q
prisoner. This time he fell into the hands of
Indians who were not at all disposed to treat
him kindly. He was securely bound and taken
to the camp OF Cornplanter, famous Chieftain,
in whose veins tradition says that the blood OF
Washington coursed. The tribe which he led
was originally ruled by an Indian Queen OF sing
ular power and beauty. This woman, said the
only living descendant of Zane to me recently,
was q superior person. She was born 10 rule,
and governed her people by the force OF her
character. She was importuned by many q
great Chief time after time TO become his
wife, but she preferred to cling to her power
and dignity. But when Washington, as q
young man, came to the Ohio Valley, she fell
in love with him, and he is said 10 have mani
tested some affection for her. Cornplanter was
their son. Ny informant heard this story from
the lips OF Zane.
When Isaac Zane was brought before Corn
planter he was accused OF being an Indian
slayer, and was doomed TO be burned at the
stake.
His faco was painted black, which indicated
that horrible death was in store for him and
he was told that the next morning would be his
last. The frightful death whoop sounded
through the camp at night and malignant
squaws leered at the youthful prisoner and told
him OF the pain that they were preparing TO in
nict upon him. He was unable to sleep until
nearly daylight, when he fell into an uneasy
slumber. Before he awolie he saw in q CRATE
ful morning vision that foated before his
drowsy eyes, the slender figure OF the Wyandot
maiden who loved him and from whose anec-
tionate demonstrations he had fed. She
smiled upon him and seemed TO say shave
hope" The next moment he was roughly
aroused by his captors and led out to die.
A stake had been set in the ground, and he
was fastened to 1t by leather thong attached
10 his hands. Piles OF fagots were stacked up
few feet from him, and all about him the
warriors and women were circling, with shrill
outcries. number OF squaws pulled out all
OF his finger and toe nails, and sharp, lighted
sticks were pushed into his bare arms and
breast
Finally, big warrior approached with fire.
brand To light the fagots and half dozen
guns charged with salt and coarse powder were
leyeled at the victims body. The death-d dance
was commenced, and the fire had Just been ap-
Piled TO the dry sticks when the warwhoop Of
the Wyandots rang out In the clear morning
air, and q band of braves, led by the chiefs
own daughter, dashed into the camp. The
maiden saw the awful peril OF the man she
loved, and she rode her pony straight TO him,
and set him free with single stroke OF her
knife. The Wyandots claimed that Zane was
ono OF their own people, and that they had
adopted him thirteen years ago.
The solid merits OF the claim, coupled with
the beauty OF the maiden who led the rescuing
party, induced Cornplanter TO set Zane at lib
erty.
He returned to his place OF captivity in Ohio
with the Wyandots, and was manly enough Ia
marry the maiden, whose superb, savage love
for him had led her TO pursue him through the
forests OF Pennsylvania, where she snatched
him from fearful death.
The zanes were all children OF the forest and
their long residence with the red men united
them for the restful vocations OF peace. They
were Al splendiG LzAAaz nghters, aAd fsand